Taking A Lesson From the Prairies: One Man's Opinion

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 03:55 AM

I recently spent 10 days on the prairies and you will be pleased to know that from here to Winnipeg in Manitoba, we were number one.

We have the dubious distinction of being the city or town with the highest gas prices on the trip.

Even little Saskatchewan towns with a population of about 100, were serving up gas from $1.04 to $1.09 a litre.

You might remember the gas companies said the reason prices are higher here than other communities is because of the volume that we pump. According to them that’s why centers like Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver pay less for a litre of gas than we do.

I wonder how they could justify the fact that in Ochre River, Manitoba with a population of 180, the price was $1.04?

What was significant in that trip was the work that has been done on, “The Forks “in Winnipeg.

It is a park that has been established at the confluence of the Red River and the Assiniboine. It is old CPR property that has been turned into a sort of fun center, antique shops, rail cars that are used for candy, ice cream, and lunch bars. The site floods every year but they just wash it off and get on with the program. By the way they now have more people visiting that site than visit Jasper, Alberta every year.

Can you imagine what could be done along the Nechako and Fraser in this city? Why in the world we don’t have high rise apartments and shops along the rivers is a mystery. We are the only city that I saw on the trip that doesn’t take advantage of the water and we sit at the confluence of two of the largest rivers (well, one) in the world. Alcan long ago took so much water from the Nechako that the 200 year flood plain is a thing of the past.

Instead we are busy trying to build in the down town which has no natural beauty what so ever to offer.

Let your mind wander for a moment and compare the two. Planning hasn’t exactly been our hot spot in this city. I remember when the Rivers Committee was formed; Cottonwood Island was a land fill, what a bloody shame. We won’t be getting a gold sticky on our planning board for the rivers that is for certain.

I’m Meisner and that is one man’s opinion.

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Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 03:55 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: fedup on July 11 2006 4:05 PM

Mr. Meisner I couldn't agree with you more on this one.I don't know of to many places that don't take advantage of thier waterways.

Posted by: Runner46 on July 11 2006 9:49 PM

If I recall Ben you were one of the driving forces on the Rivers Committee.

What happened????

Posted by: camoose on July 12 2006 12:43 AM

As an old Flatlander from Winterpeg I must correct you Ben. The land on which the Forks is built was Cnr land, not CPR. The old CNR freifgt sheds occupied that spot for many years. I agree that they have done a terrific job of reclaimng what was becoming a slum. Sure makes us look bush league. It's not true that the "only good thing that comes from the east is the sun"

Posted by: trusted on July 12 2006 7:55 AM

Finally, someone can visualize what can be built on riverfront land.
I see the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park is for sale, and what a site for condominiums. I understand the adjacent park and an additional piece is also for sale, which would account for hundreds and hundreds of feet of prime river frontage. The properties are close to all amenities, but very private, and as the Ponderosa was a check point for the Government for years for high water,(it is higher than the city downtown), there is no fear of flooding. There is also another piece adjacent zoned C5 which is about 2 acres. Just consider the development that could be built, and one of the greatest locations in the city. What a great view-which would be enjoyed by many.
I hear they are doing a private ad to put on the computer soon on different sites.
Some developer out of the city with some real smarts will be picking those choice pieces up.
P G developers will lose out for a lack of
vision.
What an opportunity.

Posted by: kimbo on July 12 2006 10:05 AM

I hate to pour water on the two rivers idea in Prince George. The fact is that the area concerned has the worst air quality in the City. When the wind blows from the north you get the poor air from the pulp mills and from the south we have the BCR Industial site.

Contrary to the Mayors statement on the recent enviromental report presented to City council on Monday nights meeting that the the emmissions are one half the rate of other cities of similar size in the country.

Tell me Mr Mayor Why does Port Albernie have one air quality monitor, Nanaimo has one monitor, Kelowna has one, Kamloops has two, Abbotsford has one, Chilliack has one and Prince George has six aire quality monitors. Why would we have so many Monitors?

I think the Mayor hasn' a clue as to whats happening in our City.

And thats my opinion.

Posted by: kimbo on July 12 2006 10:07 AM